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O.C. iFans rewarded with early Apple store opening for iPhone 3GS (UPDATED)
June 19th, 2009, 7:23 am · 45 Comments · posted by Candice Shih, Staff Writer
UPDATE: Slideshow posted so you too can see what it was like to be in line for an iPhone 3GS way before the rest of the county was awake. Also more updates posted on lines at other Orange County Apple stores.
* See latest line updates, as of 4:20 p.m., below…
* Best Buy stores, Wal-Marts and AT&T stores are also selling the new iPhone 3GS today.
* Just got a call from AT&T at 10:07 a.m. that AT&T stores have relatively short lines compared to Apple stores. Of course, you can order an iPhone online and get it mailed to you within 7 to 14 days. But that’s no fun!
LINE UPDATES:
*As of 4:37 p.m., the Apple store at the Irvine Spectrum has a 10-15 minute line wait. All colors and sizes of 3GS phones are still available.
*As of 4:30 p.m., the Apple store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is sold out of iPhone 3GS, unless you reserved one ahead of time.
* As of 4:25 p.m., the Apple store in Mission Viejo has a very short line and there are limited quantities of all the phones.
*As of 4:22 p.m., the Apple store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach is sold out.
*As of 4:20 p.m., the Apple store in Brea still has a line. The store only has 32 GB iPhone 3GS left in both white and black.
* As of 11:21 a.m., the Mission Viejo Apple store says the line is about 10-15 people and the store is almost sold out of every iPhone 3GS in stock.
* As of 11:14 a.m., the Irvine Spectrum Apple store reports a 2-hour wait in line. All phones are still in stock.
* As of 11:11 a.m., the Fashion Island Apple store says the line is about 2-hours long. The 16-GB white iPhone 3GS is sold out.
* As of 11:08 a.m., the Brea Apple store still has a line and is expected to be there most of the day.
* As of 9:49 a.m., the Apple store at South Coast Plaza HAS NO LINE. There are still plenty in stock, according to the store.
* As of 9:25 a.m., the Apple store at The Shops in Mission Viejo has about a 1-hour long line for folks who didn’t reserve a phone ahead of time. They’ve run out 16 GB white iPhone 3GS and is in short supply of other models. However, the online reservation system opens back up tomorrow so the store expects to recieve more units tomorrow.
* As of 9:22 a.m., the Apple Store at Brea Mall has a “pretty long line.”
* As of 9:20 a.m., the Apple Store at Fashion Island has a 1.5-hour wait in line. The store is also sold out of the 16-GB iPhone 3GS in white.
* At Orange County AT&T stores, which also opened at 7 a.m., AT&T reports there were lines at every store. For the greater Los Angeles area, there were, on average, 40-60 people in line as the stores opened, according to an AT&T spokesman.
Lines were all over Orange County and by 7 a.m. phones were moving out of the Apple stores. Over at South Coast Plaza, doors opened 45 minutes early for the nearly 100 200 people in line.
People continue to Twitter about waiting in line, including the first in line at South Coast Plaza (pictured on right), who our South Coast Plaza reporter Candice Shih interviewed below. Elsewhere in the county, Twitter user neilgreene said he was picking up an iPhone at the Mission Viejo store by 7 a.m. While carolynhimes said she was the 25th in line at the Apple store in Fashion Island just after 7 a.m.
Candice Shih, who blogs for the Register’s South Coast Plaza blog , arrived at the Apple Store at the Costa Mesa mall by 6:15 a.m., just in time to catch the first people in line before they headed inside the store. Here’s her report (or see her special SCP take “Apple store sees steady stream of iFans for launch of new iPhone“), which includes a couple of photos from Register photographer Mark Rightmire (the Gadgetress appreciates the hard and early-morning work!):
All Apple stores in Orange County were supposed to open at 7 a.m. to sell the new iPhone 3GS. But the store in South Coast Plaza opened at 6:15 a.m. I don’t know why they opened the store early but good thing I got there at 6:15 — just in time to talk to the first guy in line.
CAPTION: John Legg of Huntington Beach waits at South Coast Plaza Friday to buy an iPhone 3GS. Photo by Mark Rightmire, OCRegister.com.
That would be Jon Worrel (photo at very top in slide show image), an 18-year-old from Anaheim. He just graduated from Loara High School and plans to attend U.C. Merced.
“I’m an enthusiast for the products. I like to buy them on launch day,” he said.
Worrel, who writes tech reviews for Fudzilla.com, arrived with two non-iPhone buying friends at 1:30 a.m. but security asked them to leave. They went to Denny’s and came back to claim the first-in-line spot by 3:30 a.m.
“I just like the (iPhone’s) intuitive operating system. It’s easy to use and fully functional,” he said.
He was first in line for the launch last year too.
CAPTION: People inside the Apple Store at South Coast Plaza early Friday morning to buy the new iPhone 3GS. Photo by Mark Rightmire, OCRegister.com.
Read more of Candice’s coverage on the South Coast Plaza Apple launch at “Apple store sees steady stream of iFans for launch of new iPhone.”
For more coverage on where you can one of those nifty new iPhones yourself, here you go:
Apple Stores
Orange County’s Apple stores open at 7 a.m. (though some stores say 8 a.m. on their phone message). Expect two lines, one for pre-orders, one for everyone else. See more details about individual stores below:
- Brea Mall, 1065 Brea Mall, Space #1024A, Brea, CA 92821, 714-255-5610. Store opens at 7 a.m.
- Fashion Island, 367 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-729-4433, Store opens at 7 a.m. Mall officials plan to let people line up starting at 7 a.m. but you might try getting their earlier.
- Irvine Spectrum, 85 Fortune Dr. #311, Irvine, CA 92618, 949-255-1500. Store opens at 7 a.m. Your best bet if you want to line up all night.
- South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-424-6331. Store opens at 7 a.m. Mall officials plan to let people line up starting at 4 a.m.
- The Shops at Mission Viejo, 936C The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, 949-365-0727. Store opens at 7 a.m.
AT&T Stores
For those heading to AT&T stores (you can search for O.C. locations HERE), the stores open at 7 a.m. but only to allow customers who pre-ordered and notified by e-mail to leave with a phone.
Doors open for everyone else at 8 a.m. If you pre-ordered and miss the 7 a.m. opening, AT&T will let you go to the front of the line until 9 a.m. However, if you pre-ordered a phone and got confirmation that the phone is available, then an iPhone 3GS with your name on it will be waiting at the store no matter what time. You just may not be able to cut in line though if you arrive after 9 a.m. Don’t forget: Bring your receipt!
If you pre-ordered online at AT&T, your phone should arrive beginning Friday. Others could come as late as 14 days from now.
Elsewhere
Best Buy and Wal-Mart stores also begin selling the phones Friday. However, iPhones could be in limited supplies. An employee at the Orange Best Buy said that all of its phones have been reserved for those who preordered at BestBuy.com. I’d call the store ahead of time before heading out.
I’m assuming that if you’re a major iPhone fan, you’ve already ordered your phone and should be taken care of Friday. For everyone else who has been thinking about getting the latest version, iPhones are here to stay. They may sell out in one day but more will surely be on the way as they have been every year.
Other factoids
PRICING: Since the iPhone 3GS was announced two weeks ago, pricing has changed a bit. The cheapest price is $199 for the 16 GB and $299 for the 32 GB version. But people stuck in a 2-year AT&T contract had to pay $200 more. However on Wednesday, AT&T allowed some iPhone users to get the greater discount if they fall into one of two categories: they pay more than $99/month for service on their phone or their 2-year contract will end by September (visit www.att.com/iPhone to see if you’re eligible). This, of course, means that most iPhone 3G users don’t qualify for the lowest price since that phone went on sale last July. And most users don’t meet the $99 minimum, as this TechCrunch writer found out.
MONTHLY SERVICE: Same as before. Individual plans start at $70 ($30 for data, $40 for voice).
HARDWARE: iPhone 3GS — with S for Speed — is supposed to be faster in every aspect, from faster messaging, loading programs, viewing documents and loading OCRegister.com. This is because it supports 7.2 Mbps HSDPA technology. Battery life has improved, plus there’s a new camera, hardware encryption, built-in digital compass (so map will orient in direction phone is facing), voice-activated calling. And it uses voice commands on iTunes and you can edit videos right on the phone.
More iPhone info:
- The iPhone 3GS page
- The AT&T iPhone 3GS FAQ page
Photos courtesy of AT&T.
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What recession?
It’s called debt.
It is recession. However, there’s a number of those that have money to spend. It’s worth it.
Are people really going to do this for every update of the iPhone?
It’s worth it if you need it. And it’s worth the money.
If you are waiting in line for the newest iPhone your life isn’t really necessary.
That’s like… Your opinion, man.
Get a life people. You’re being screwed! $30.00 a month for a data plan for a $200 phone+ tax? Give me a break. This is the exact reason why we are in a recession and that nobody in this country saves money anymore.
actually people spending money on frivolous stuff is exactly what will turn around the economy, consumer spending is what drives our economy. as long as they arent borrowing the money to do it, its a good thing.
chump change, who cares what it costs?
It looks kool! but it sucks!!!!!!!! Wast of money!!!!!!!
Until they get iPhones for a better network than At&t.. see Verizon.. I am out. I switched from Cinglular/ At&t years ago, and from what I understand the service still blows.
I have been with Pacific Bell (Late 90’s) which changed to Cingular which changed to AT&T and I have NEVER had a problem with coverage/service.
I never did either until I moved to a certain area in Irvine. No coverage at all! That’s when I had to switch to Verizon. It all depend where you live and/or work.
can you view an email jpg on it?
Yes you can
it’s futile to try to keep up with technology! waste of money and a newer version will be out in under a yr. look at those people that paid $10,000 for a top of the line tv and now they are $600
Ya, but those people bought that TV 15 years ago! I spent $2k on my 48-inch 2 years ago and have no regrets.
Keep spending that money people, your generating revenue for the county & keeping people employed!!
These are made in China. The revenue leaves the country.
The AT&T service that goes with the I-Phone sucks and it’s getting worse as they add more subscribers..I will stay with my original I-Phone and wait until verizon get the Iphones and then switch…
AT&T sucks!!!!
The problem with these iPHones is the ATT Network!! It is too bad that the iPHone wasn’t released on a reliable network like Verizon. As a result of the release of this new iPhone, ATT will not have more capacity issues with their network and users will experience more very slow internet speeds as compared to the speeds that are possible on Verizon’s or Sprint’s Network. Folks, the best thing to do is just stick with you Blackberries for now and wait for the iPHone to be released on Verizon. When it is released on Verizon, then go to the Apple Store and purchase an iPhone, Otherwise you are just asking for trouble with the over-capacity ATT Network.
I’m hoping we’ll hear something concrete soon since Verizon launches its 4G service next year, which coincides with AT&T’s exclusive iPhone contract ending after next year (See Wall Street Journal story).
Hey Tamara,
I read that many analysts believe that At&t will do EVERYTHING in their power to re-negotiate at least another year of the contract… you are in the know, what have you heard?
I’m not that in the know. The same WSJ story, confirms that AT&T is trying to get the exclusivity contract extended through 2011.
don’t these losers understand that having new technology does not make you cool?
Its like the fins on the back of cars. But I still want one.
hahahaha
give iPhone marketing group a thumb up. they do a good job marketing this product.
A fool and his/her money are easily parted. Those who stand in line to get fleeced are fools twice over.
I don’t have in iPhone, but I don’t understand why these people are fools. Why would you say that? Just because it’s not something you want to buy doesn’t make these people fools. Do you not buy ANYTHING? And I know plenty of people who have an iPhone and none of them think they are cool simply because they have an iPhone. It’s not like they aren’t available to everyone. Anyone who wants one can get one, they are not reserved for some ultra cool hip people only. I don’t get why people are so bitter about others who want something that they don’t like. If you don’t like it, just don’t buy one.
they wanted to be the first to have it, paid the premium, then they complained when it went on sale a few weeks later!
What’s the point of having a fancy phone when you have no jobs?
It looks like you don’t have a job when you stand in line to get a new phone.
I work in IT forever. Iphone is a nice device but I would not pay it myself.
are company networks supporting it yet? last i heard our IT group said only blackberry is supported
My company doesn’t support it but AT&T does offer iPhone 3GS support to businesses *link*
hahah everyone under is just bitter. cause you can’t afford it. and your life is boring . so you dont need such a great product to have so many possibilities to do everything mobile and on the go. and have such a great product. just like that windows commercial. ” your just not cool enough to be a mac user ” so go buy a cheap thing that supposedly lied to you that says it can do what this can. which won’t . lol
Too bad they can’t be manufactured in the OC.
Can one play World of Warcraft on this?
yes you can. You need to download the app, first. pretty cool.
DO THEY have a girlfriend app?
Yes they do. Go to Itune and download it.
WOW, not shocked! If stores still have quantities left of the new Iphone than you know there is a recession going on. I remember when the very first version of the Iphone was released and how fast it was sold out and how long the lines were. Not surprised. I think $200, let alone $400 for any cell phone is crazy. Basic phones get the job done for half the price…….considering most people trade/upgrade their cell phones every two years.
If a fool and his/her money are soon parted, how did the fool end up with the money in the first places???? Answer me that, mr/ms smarty pants.
A fool and his “borrowed” money will soon be parted. At $200 - $400 a pop there are plenty of fools willing to use “borrowed” money to finance it. If you can’t even scrape together $200-$400 in cash and have the $80 or so monthly nut then you really shouldn’t be buying this phone. Too many wannabe “hipsters” with ZERO savings are financing the final gasps of this debt-laden bubble. Come next year when the credit card issuing banks really tighten the screw to only those with provable income streams / debt-service capabilities will we see how much of a sham this whole thing has been. Good luck to the FIRE economy and the ancillary / tech companies. I rather have biotech / alternative energy / alternative agriculture research companies than stupid consumerism tech companies any day.
I ordered my iphone at apple.com on Monday to avoid the lines and it delivered yesterday. Love it. I held out the past 2 years to buy it and finally caved in as I need something to use for work and personal. The service for ATT is no bueno for the part of Irvine I live in, but the reception with iphone is actual way better than my razr. Also there’s wifi so you can link up almost anywhere for internet. I don’t really text and rarely talk on the phone so this works great for me as I do mostly emails. It’s really a mini computer with phone/ipod/camera/video in one. 2 years ago my razr was the same price and the quality is a 1/4 of the iphone is. The price is fair and with anything, don’t buy it if you can’t afford it or the monthly payments.
Hahaha I wonder how many fools are busy scrolling this web page on their postage stamp sized IPhone screens.